Asian racist jokes on billboards – in Portland? In 2013? Really? Whew. It’s hard to tell you this, but yes: Alpha Broadcasting, and specifically KXL, authored a billboard in Portland’s Chinatown,  declaring, “We love you long time,” apparently making fun of english-as-a second language speakers, who may leave out prepositions.

Our news partner OPB reports that after complaints, Alpha Broadcasting – which owns KXL – has agreed to take down the billboard.

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Source: Kristian Foden-Vencil, Oregon Public Broadcasting

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A Portland radio station is taking down a billboard in Chinatown after hearing complaints that it was racially insensitive.

The ad announced in big black letters: “We Love You Long Time.”

It’s taken from the 1987 Stanley Kubrick film Full Metal Jacket, where a Vietnamese prostitute solicits an American soldier.

It’s also used in a Black Eyed Peas song.

Chinatown accountant Louis Lee said he didn’t know the origin of the phrase, but finds it indicative of a larger problem.

“Portland folks are pretty progressive, except when it comes to the racial issue. Okay.  I think we we are far far behind. I think if the general populations throws all Asians into one single lump, I think that’s a little naive on the part of the mainstream,” Lee says.

Radio station KXL released a statement saying it thought the quote would get attention but meant no disrespect.

It says the ad came from the Marketing and Programming Department, but when the News Department said they believed it to be insensitive, KXL decided to change the message.

The new sign will read “Stay Connected, my friends.”

PRP
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